Drag Racing Online - Import Scene Vol. IV No. 3 March 2002

IMPORTS ROCK the USA!

By Tim Marshall

First, yes, I am a diehard Top Fuel, Funny Car, and Fuel Altered guy, but when our publisher asked me to do this column, it was an instant yes! After being involved in our own import publication, Street Legal Imports, with Richard Schroeder and Don Wilson, I had fond feelings for the import wars. In this column, we are going to try to give you a better insight on the entire Import world of Drag Racing, which is not a "fad," but simply reality!

Bernie Longjohn, long-time General Manager of the Palmdale, California facility, admits, "the Import scene has literally given LACR new life." LACR was once thought of as just a bracket track or venue for small time shows. Frank choy first had 700 cars back when the "Battle of the Imports" started in 1991. Now enter the Import Drag Racing Circuit (IDRC) with Michael Ferrara, Wayne Kiang and their group getting a record 16.321 fans for a two-day event. Import drag racing at Los Angeles County Raceway has taken off like a rocket ship!

"I remember when I put on a great AA/FA show with all the hitters and NO spectators and look at this," said Longjohn, referring to the 16,000 plus for just a two-day Import show. (Also may it be noted, 418 racers, 138 show cars, and 29 different manufacturers' banners!)

Enter the 2002 season, and now you have General Motors backing a high dollar team featuring former Pro Stock bike rider Stephanie Reaves (above photo) at the wheel. At their very first event, she set an all-time quick time and top speed for a female in IDRC competition at a fine 8.89 and 167 mph, and almost won the event, except some handling problems prevented that. On a positive note, Marty Ladwig wheeled the GM-backed Pontiac Sunfire to a Super Comp win.

The freshly painted and newly sponsored K & N Filters-backed 1971 Mazda of Efren Vazques won the usually very tough and competitive Pro without much competition, only three other entries. An 8.41 at 160.29 picked up the money and trophy. In the famous IDRC Outlaw class that Stephanie Reaves' Cavalier competes in, Ray Lockhead's wheelstanding 1996 Mazda went straight long enough to defeat Ron Lummus and his immaculate turbo beetle.

The highly contested "All Motor" class was all VW with supreme engine builder Shawn Geers not only qualifying #1, but also winning the class over a game Danny Cerny. Cerny is the grandson of the famous painter George Cerny. In the quick class, Jojo Callos stripped down the lettering and put a new carbon-fiber hood on his 1994 Honda Civic, ran some strong 9.20's and defeated Venom racing in the final.

Street eliminator was all Mazda, with Texas vs California in the final. Ari Yallon drove his 1993 RX7 to a best of 10.91/127.71 mph to defeat Peter "Fei Lo" Yeung.

The IDRC next moves to Firebird Raceway in Chandler AZ, so expect some fantastic times at the sea level track, known for fast and quick times. At the end of the month is the first Battle of the Imports event at the famous Famoso drag strip in Bakersfield, and we will be doing a full results at DRO.

NHRA and Summit Racing Equipment have announced their 2002 schedule starting in Gainesville Florida at the end of March. Please stay tuned to "Imports Rock the USA" for coverage of all the major races, as well as interviews with the stars of the scene and updates about sports compact racing.

Any input that you may have would be greatly appreciated, so e-mail me at imports@racingnetsource.com.

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